Any experience/advice on constipation in toddlers?

[mamof2boys]

Do any of you ladies have any experience of laculose and senna for children?

My little boy (2.10yrs) has always suffered from constipation and was on Infant Movicol until recently. He has been potty trained for wees and dry all night since January, however we were having huge issues with poos.

He was just pooing himself and didn't even have any warning signs. Talked to GP who said it was the Movicol which wasn't giving him the sensation of a full bowel.

Anyway, he has been on Lactulose for around 2 months now and both Lactulose and Senna for 1 month as alternatives to the Movicol.

Guess what - he is still not saying he needs a poo! We can 'catch' him most of the time, as I can tell by his body language/face when he needs to go. It's worse when he's with the childminder who resorts to cutting his pants off him after an accident.

He still doesn't go every day even with the medication and can go around 3 days.

I don't know what to do. Is it a case of constipation or control with my little fella?

I'd be grateful to hear from any of you. I know there's loads of threads on poos, but not so much on constipation.

Just likeb the rest of you, we have tried loads of approaches - stickers, treats, singing and dancing like lunatics - you name it we've tried it! Haven't read Mr Poo though - where do you buy it from?

Good luck to the rest of you with toilet training!
Thanks

I think if you repost this in children's health you will have more luck getting replies. I will watch with interest as DD has constipation issues and she is 3. Good luck!

Have you tried reading this book? I found it v. Useful. www.amazon.co.uk/Constipation-Withholding-Your-Child-Soiling/dp/1843104911/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339963229&sr=8-1

I'm not quite sure if this will help you but here goes.

My DD is reluctant to potty train. She is 3.6. She will start off wearing pants all morning but refuses to sit on potty or toilet with nothing on. I got in touch with Health visitor who is now working with us. Please note the health visitor does not seem worried about DD's age and the fact we thought she "is late" to learn.

Anyway the advice we have been given is "if DD asks to wear a nappy we have to let her" I was a bit to hear this. So we usually get to the afternoon and she will ask for a nappy. She does find though after she has worn one for a little while she wants to go back into pants so we let her.

The health visitor said "it's all about letting them be in control of it and they will get it one day"

What we find is that DD tends to hold on till bedtime (when we put her in a nappy) and then she does her poo's.

Not quite sure if this is any use to you OP but I hope it helps someone.

Would def recommend the book ItalianDiva mentions above, it's a really easy and understandable book and helped enormously with my sons ' withholding' habit. it will explain why he has so many accidents and what medication you can use to over come the problem.

My son developed a fear of pooing during potty training started to hold -on and eventually when he did go ( every three or four days) it was a painful and stressful experinced reinforcing the fear factor.

It was affecting his behaviour and turned him into a boy who devoted every third day to trying to stop his poo, hopping around and lying on the sofa. He has been on a small dose of powerful lactitive for 6 months now and is a different boy. The book explains all the medication options available.

Thank you ladies for your replies. I'm going to buy the book you have suggested. It can be so stressful as he gets really upset.

Really appreciate our advice.

Hope your little ones are pooing when and where they should be!

We have this problem (constipation and poo withholding) with DS (2.5). That book mentioned above is definitely worth getting. It has loads of useful tips and will help you to feel less alone (as will Mumsnet!).

It is a really stressful problem - we have always tried to hide our stress from DS but it is difficult as he gets so upset and we get worried. He is on Movicol and goes most days but still makes a big fuss about it and now verbalises his feelings 'I don't want poo poo to come out' etc. The last few days he seems to have been mostly pooing in bed (in nappy) or even maybe in his sleep which isn't great at all.

Anyway - we have found rewards help to a certain extent, together with cutting down on dairy and upping other fluids (this is in the book). We are probably going to try to get a referral to a specialist soon as it has been going on for ages - you could try this too.

Hope it improves soon for you - you have my heartfelt sympathy - I know what a nightmare it can be!